Cenotaph in Springdale Cemetery, Peoria, ILCheck the cemetery for location/directions
and other veterans who may be buried there.

Biography

Charles E. Denison, son of Henry Champlin and Amy (Smith) Denison, was born in Woodstock, Vt., May 30, 1827, and died in the hospital at Murfreesboro, Tenn., January 15, 1863.

He prepared for college in the schools of his town and entered the University in 1842, graduating A. B. in 1845; received the degree of A. M. in course in 1846; was tutor in Latin and Greek, 1843-46; was distinguished at the University for his mathematical ability.

He was chief draftsman for the Vermont Central R. R., 1846-48; assistant engineer, Connecticut and Passumpsic R. R., 1849-51; Marietta'A Columbia R. R., 1851-53; first assistant engineer, P:-oria & Oquawka R. R., and the Peoria & Burlington R. R., 1853-55; was chief engineer of this road, 1855-56 and constructed the line east from Washington, 11l., to Logansport, Ind. This portion of the road was later known as the Toledo, Peoria & Western, and was the first line across the prairies of 11linois; was chief engineer of the Tunica Petersburg R. R., from Jacksonville to Delevan, 11l. He removed to Peoria, 11l., in 1853 where he resided until his death; was city engineer of Peoria, 1856-61.

He organized the " Peoria National Blues," 11linois militia, and served as captain until 1861. On the breaking out of the Civil War, he offered his services to the State, and he and his company were mustered into the State service April 22, 1861, his company becoming Co. E. 8th Illinois Volunteers; was stationed for a time at Cairo, I1l., and took part in several engagements in Kentucky; had the honor of capturing the first Confederate flag in Kentucky. He was commissioned captain 18th U. S. Infantry, May 14, 1861, and served in General Thomas' corps during the campaigns in Tennessee and Kentucky; performed gallant service in the battle of Mill Springs, Ky., January 1862, and at Shiloh, Tenn., April 1862; was severely wounded in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., December 31, 1862, losing a leg and died in the hospital there, January 15, 1863; was buried in the Springdale Cemetery, Peoria, Ill.; was brevetted major U. S. Army, December 31, 1862, for "gallant and meritorious services at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn.'' He was a civil engineer of exceptional ability and a gallant officer. Had his life been spared, he would no doubt, have held a high command.

He was twice married: first, November 20, 1849, to Harriet Hubbard Stevens of Newbury, who died September 21, 1852; one child, Harriet Stevens, born September 18, 1850, now Mrs. William Hall Walker of New York City. He was again married, March 29, 1854, to Mary Jane Stevens, sister of his first wife. Two children were born to them, Charles, born April 17, 1856, resides in Boston; and John, born in 1860, died in 1900.

Source: William Arba Ellis, Norwich University 1819-1911, Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor, (Capital City Press, Montpelier, 1911), 2:375-376.